Animal Fact Guide is giving away THREE Halloween costumes courtesy of HalloweenCostumes.com.  For a chance to win, simply comment below with your favorite animal fact by September 23. Be sure to include your email address so we may contact the winners for their mailing address and choice of costume.

Three lucky winners will have their choice of any costume available on HalloweenCostumes.com valued up to $50.

Note: This contest is open to people in the U.S. only.

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UPDATE: Congratulations to our winners, Amanda A., Rita M., and Nicole F.!

Yogi Bear features everyone’s favorite talking bear Yogi and his adorable sidekick Boo Boo as they raise havoc with their hair-brained schemes in Jellystone Park much to the chagrin of Ranger Smith. When Jellystone is threatened by a logging company Yogi teams up with a documentary filmmaker and must prove that he is indeed “Smarter than the average bear!”

To win the DVD, comment below with your favorite fact about grizzly bears (hint: see our article about grizzly bears) by March 25. Be sure to include your email address, so we can contact the winner for their mailing address. Note: This contest is open to people in the U.S. and Canada only.

UPDATE: Congratulations to Candy from Virginia for winning our contest!

Captured by Karl Ammann, the photographs are categorized into themes such as “Colors,” “Textures,” and “Portraits.” The images beg to be scoured over, luring the reader to examine every detail.

The photos are accompanied by an eloquently-written text by Dale Peterson. Peterson’s text informs the reader about many of the captivating behaviors and societal norms of elephants. For example, elephants are thought to use infrasound for long-distance communication. The sounds are too low for humans to hear, but elephants can sense the vibrations from miles away using their large ears and the soles of their feet.

Children will be drawn to the large format photos, while parents and teachers will find the text enhances their appreciation of the images.

Purchase Elephant Reflections at Amazon.com.

You can also learn about elephants here at Animal Fact Guide. Check out our article: African Elephant.

Beautifully illustrated with ultrasound images of these animals as embryos and fetuses, the book highlights the development of unique physical characteristics that the animals will come to rely on once out of womb.

For example, one section showcases the elephant fetus after four months. At this point, the trunk is recognizable, but it will need the full 18 more months in the womb to continue developing. Once out of the womb, the elephant will use this strong, highly dexterous snout to pick foliage, carry objects, suck water, and use as a snorkel while swimming.

The author also touches upon physical characteristics that provide clues about the animals’ ancestry.  For example, at 3-4 weeks, the dolphin fetus develops hind limbs which later retract and disappear. This suggests that dolphins may have evolved from four-legged land animals.

Intertwined with the three main stories are captivating glimpses into the development and behavior of red kangaroos, emperor penguins, sand tiger and lemon sharks, and parasitic wasps. These mini stories reveal the extraordinary journeys these animals make before they’re even born, as well as provide interesting points of comparison to the three main characters.

It is a fascinating read for animal lovers, but parents should note that reproductive behavior is covered in detail.

The book, In the Womb: Animals, is available at National Geographic’s Online Shop as well as Amazon.com.

You may also be interested in purchasing the documentary DVD, In the Womb: Animals.

1. Planet Earth
   This 5-disc series put out by the BBC and narrated by David Attenborough features stunning wildlife scenes, such as a great white shark chasing a seal and a group of starving lions hunting an elephant at night.  Each 50-minute episode focuses on a different region or habitat and offers a rare glimpse at some of the world’s most elusive and fascinating animals.
   Buy it from Amazon »
2. Growing Up Gift Pack
   Animal Planet’s Growing Up… series features a different orphaned baby animal in each episode.  The show tracks the animal’s progress at a zoo or a rehabilitation center until its release into the wild (if possible) or its permanent integration into zoo life.  This 5-disc DVD gift set includes polar bear cubs, infant seals, cheetah babies, wolf pups, tiger and lion cubs, and more.
   Buy it from Amazon »
3. Rainforest Combination Puzzle & Playset
   This handcrafted 18-piece puzzle/playset is made from earth-friendly, sustainable rubberwood hardwood by a self-help group in India.  Serving as both a puzzle and a playset, this gift will provide endless entertainment for children aged 3 and up while sparking analytic thinking and creativity.
   Buy it from Amazon »
4. Zoo Gift Membership
   Purchase a gift membership for your friend or family member to a local zoo or aquarium.  Not only will the gift contribute to conservation efforts, the recipient will also receive free admission and discounts to zoo events. Furthermore, American Zoo & Aquarium (AZA)-accredited organizations participate in a Reciprocal Admission Program, where membership privileges to one zoo/aquarium extends to all partner organizations as well.
   Find a local zoo using the AZA’s zoo finder »
5. Adopt a Wild Animal
   Symbolically adopting a wild animal in danger of extinction is a great gift to those concerned about the world’s wildlife. Several organizations offer gift adoptions for species such as polar bears, pandas, wolves, tigers, and more.  Adoption kits often include a plush toy, a photo, certificate of adoption, and information about how the donation will help that particular animal.
   Adopt from Defenders of Wildlife »
   Adopt from National Wildlife Federation »
   Adopt from World Wildlife Fund »